Written by Maureen Brakke
MONMOUTH, Ore. –Western Oregon University is the first public university in Oregon to join the Tri-Alpha honor society specifically for first-generation college students. Nearly 50 percent of Western’s student body identifies as first-generation, making this membership another way the university supports and elevates first-generation students.
Membership benefits include a lifetime membership, outward recognition of personal accomplishment and an incentive for continued high scholarships, opportunities to connect with other first-generation scholars from all academic disciplines on campus and create a supportive environment for first-generation students. It also provides opportunities for students to mentor younger first-generation students and receive mentoring from more senior students, along with professionals who were the first in their families to attend college.
Dana Nunez-Silva, First Generation coordinator at Western, shares that the university joined Tri-Alpha so first-generation students’ achievements could be recognized and elevated more intentionally. She adds that Tri-Alpha provides an intentional space for students to support each other and feel empowered and capable of achieving their academic goals. “Tri-Alpha will help many first-generation students overcome impostor syndrome, a feeling that is very common to the first-gen experience.” Nunez-Silva will also be the advisor for the Tri-Alpha chapter at Western and shares that she is honored and excited to recruit students to join the honor society and begin establishing a new tradition at Western.
About Tri-Alpha:
Alpha Alpha Alpha, or Tri-Alpha, was founded on March 24, 2018, at Moravian College (now Moravian University) in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Over 100 members of the Alpha Chapter were initiated that day, including undergraduate students, faculty, staff, alumni, and honorary members. Following the successful induction, the College took steps to incorporate Alpha Alpha Alpha so that chapters could be started on other campuses across the country. Tri-Alpha exists as a not-for-profit (501(c)3) organization, for the purposes of supporting the activities of the honors society.
###
About Western Oregon University
Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Where YOU belong.
